Category: fun

A look into the new Rom Com “Materialists”: the fashion, the make-up and beyond…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

My genre of choice is not the typical chick flick, rom com genre. It’s well known to be a formulaic critically panned genre. At most a guilty pleasure of smart, thinking people when they want a break from being feminists looking for depth in cinematic art. And here’s where I decided to give Materials a try. After reading a few review summaries about it being not the typical rom com, my interest was piqued. One quiet Tuesday night, I went to see this flick with my kid, and I’m glad I did. Here’s why:

The main character is flawed, but lovable because of these flaws. Dakota Johnson plays the lead heroine well. She plays Lucy, a no-nonsense numbers cruncher when it comes to her career as a matchmaker, living in New York City. She excels at the game of matching people up based on statistics and numeral dating “values”. Her flaws show heavily in that having been raised poor, Lucy now covets the flashy, cushy life that dating an affluent man can afford her. Enter Pablo Pascal as Harry, a handsome rich suitor. At the same time however, she still has feelings for her struggling actor ex boyfriend John, played by the hottie Chris Evans.

After developing the main characters, the film expertly directed by Celine Song, talks about real dating world problems, in a contemporary and realistic way…giving way to a more sober and serious rom com that the typical one. There are some funny scenes; Harry’s nod to male vanity, John’s absolutely horrible roommate situation, and Lucy’s experience listening to her client’s delusional dating expectations. But one of the more pressing topics addressed was that of the physical violence that can exist in a modern dating world where people desperate for love, are vulnerable to get victimized and abused.

Dating violence has always existed in any time period, but talking about it at length in a movie is contemporary. Not enough attention has been placed on the intense burden most single women face today because of the pressure to be married and to have children. It is still seen as the main way women are successful in life. That’s right. Being a woman in the top of her industry or earning a lot means nothing. And the status quo culture is still prioritizing getting a “ring on the finger”.Early in the movie, one of Lucy’s clients has cold feet on her own wedding day, having realized she was unsure WHY she was getting married. A reminder that getting a “ring on it” means more than fulfilling romantic destiny.

These stories in the movie Materialists, go on to illustrate how dating and love are not the same thing. Something that fairy tales and proper young ladies like myself and my upbringing were not allowed to explore. But in this day and age, it’s not a new message being expressed, it’s just a more truthful admission of this fact. In the not so distant past, marriages were politically designed unions to join the assets and reproductive values of two families or “corporations”. The smokescreen of the recent era is to erase that reality and place romantic and soulful completeness as the motive for dating. But the reality is “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”. You have to choose one or the other as Lucy did in this film.

And because this is a fashion and make up blog, let’s talk about it!!! The fashion and makeup was so on point in this movie. Dakota Johnson looked beautiful in almost every scene with hair and make-up that was fresh, feminine and smart. Her outfits matched every scene to the tee, and the male fashion was also on point. Both Pablo Pascal and Chris Evans looked amazing. Both male leads had presented themselves as if Dakota had chosen either one of them, it would have been a win win. Must mentions: Lucy’s thick but perfectly cut bangs, and her long flowing mane stole the show. Her sapphire coloured strapless dress in the first act looked expensive and tasteful, complementing her chestnut brown hair. And as she progressed into discovering her deeper romantic destiny, her frilly floral dress at the barn yard wedding visually showed her free spirited headspace and diversion from the past.

I absolutely love this look! The deep blue dress on light skin, the sleek dark hair and cute sandals. A nod to perfection!
Romantic, effortless and feminine. The quintessential get up for a country wedding, while looking modern and relaxed.
Wonderful hair and make up team on this production. Dakota’s complexion glows, her mauve lipstick so wonderfully compliments her dress, hair and eye make-up!

Are you going to give this unconventional rom com a try? please do! It will not disappoint!

It’s Swimwear shopping time again! How I make the most of it.

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

It’s well into the spring, and if you’re like me, we’re now deciding on buying a new bikini or one-piece. I know, I know, we already have enough! More than necessary to epically wear a different style each day on a week long vacation! But for me, the obsession with collecting swim fashion continues even so. There is no better way to celebrate a warm weather getaway than with buying one new suit–ONE. The reason I say just buy one is because years ago, I got sucked into how cheap bathing suits were, especially with pop up online retailers (remember Cup She?) I bought way too many swimsuits and I didn’t wear any of them much more than once. Then I got bored of the half a dozen I had just bought and a year later, they were off to the landfill. Fashion should be fun, but also sustainable. The way I learned to be at peace with the matter is like with any collection; it has to be made with curated pieces that are loved and each new swimwear is adding something different and loveable to the wardrobe. Here are my tips for a guideline when adding to the collection:

I love, love, love this suit and how it just has the most pretty tropical print: not too large or small and on a white backdrop!
  1. Think of the purpose of the new swimsuit: What is the destination or setting going to be? A quiet beach in the Mediterranean? City side Venice Beach in California, LA? Poolside on a cruise to the Caribbean? Sun tanning on the white sand beaches in Miami? For example, for a past trip to the Bahamas by cruise, I wanted a tropical print bikini! And I didn’t have one, so I scoured the internet for one that I absolutely adored. The colours, and size of the flora and fauna were perfect! I am not bored of that one and will definitely wear it again on the beach!
  2. Know which colour group you belong to: Certain colours when placed next to our faces, brighten us up, and compliment our complexions. And other colours do not look great next to our skin. For example I’m a cool toned gal, but on the lighter end of the spectrum. Think baby pinks, blues and lavender. And my neutral colours are white or grey, versus black or brown. My worst colours are orange, red, and coral…too intense for my complexion and too warm. Yellow sometimes works on me because at least it’s on the lighter side! But that’s my colour palette. Everyone’s colour palette is different. I have met people who were cool dark palette; so imagine: burgundy, charcoal, black, ultramarine blue. And I have met someone who absolutely glows when wearing orange and corals, unlike me! Buying a suit in a colour that works with your complexion is a key to loving it!
  3. Know your body shape: I have broad square shoulders, so I tend to opt for halter styles on the top that focus on the center of my chest. If you have big hips, maybe don’t go for the boy-shorts cut. Apple and round shaped bodies might actually look good in a two piece where the middle is not visually accentuated, instead of squeezed into a one-piece. Think about your body and where the eye will be drawn to in different swimwear. Think about places on your body you want to accentuate (i.e.. that tiny waist, long legs…etc.) and choose the cuts that match that aesthetic!
  4. Solid bathing suits are boring. It’s nice to have that simple black or white matching bikini set in some cases, but in general, one colour bathing suits don’t really catch the eye. When I wear solid colour suits, there are two things that are a must: they must be an exact colour match with the top and bottom, and they should have something interesting about them. Are they made of some fun material? Not the standard spandex suit, but maybe they are made of terry cloth, or cotton eyelet, or crochet? Texture and interesting fabrics is important when choosing solid colours.
  5. Common sense details to think about when swimwear shopping such as: The fit of the suit: we all want to buy the right size when it comes to any clothing item, but it’s ever more important with swim…because breasts need to be supported and covered, and any suit that is too tight will not be flattering! Another thing, and I don’t want to get people too stressed about it, but most people know when bathing suit season is coming, or a vacation as well–so getting ready to be in swimwear may mean skipping dessert more often than not and hitting the gym occasionally. Just sayin’!
The newest addition to my collection! I love the coverage of this bikini, it’s classy. And the solid blue colour has some sparkles woven in!

All in all, guys, just have fun. Adding new pieces of clothing to any capsule wardrobe, or well-curated collection takes time, thought and effort. But if all of these things align, you can have fun, and look good wearing the fruits of your labour! And who doesn’t want to look good while hanging poolside with a margarita in hand? Happy shopping and summer guys! For more swim content check out this article from before!

Why Cruises may be the best vacation out there…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

I feel like vacations are important. They are part of the well being and mental health routine; way up there in terms of a non drug treatment for common malaise and mild chronic depression. Day to day life needs adventure, leisure, and change…we’re not all rich, so what can give us all of that at a decent price? Why I think that would be a cruise. I recently came back from a 5 night vacay on a ship going to the Caribbean for the second time, and I can definitely say that I had fun, relaxation and thrills. Pretty good food and just amazing travel views. That is what is in store on a cruise on these beautiful ships. Whether it’s an old vessel or new one, big or small, the glamour of sailing the high seas is alive and well in this culture. And without trying to sound like a travel agent trying to sell cruise vacations, here are the reasons, for me, why it may be the perfect getaway from our land locked lives!

On my very first Caribbean cruise. Is it obvious that I liked it? The deep blue sea was amazing!
  1. Value: Because cruising includes food and entertainment and lodgings, even transport between ports on the itinerary, there is no need to use our wallets that much. I’ve come back from land vacation trips where the expenses while in that destination was astronomical. (New York City, I love ya, but what gives?) While cruises do tend to have a lot of add ons and while in port there is often spending, it’s just not equal to what is doled out for land vacations where a dinner out can be hundreds and tourist sites can chart a hefty sum to visit. While it’s also expensive to book excursions with the cruise line, one can simply decide to stay on the ship, or tour ports on their own, with a bit of research. In that way, one can tailor a cruise: is the trip going to be a splurge trip with specialty dining and fancy excursions? Or a more pared down budget friendly option? It’s adjustable to each sailing.
  2. Being truly removed from anywhere: “Like Robinson Caruso, it’s primitive as can be..” lyrics from the old t.v. show Gilligan’s Island, it rings true with cruises. Being on a ship in the middle of an ocean feels like a remote desert island in some way. And because we are removed from the everyday, we have time to think, time to problem solve and time to really disconnect. There are no reminders of home on land and suddenly just “existing” is at the center of it all…
  3. No dishes and house chores: Let’s be honest…daily life and life chores are mundane. Going to get groceries, cooking, doing dishes, taking out garbage and such…it’s all really boring. Going to work daily…these are just boring motions of modern society. Cruises are the antithesis of that! Just show up on the ship, get taken care of daily in cabins that are cleaned and meals that are lovely…explore what new foods can tickle the tastebuds without even washing a plate! No lining up at the grocery store…everything just appears! just like that!
  4. Live Entertainment is just a short walk away: On my two past cruises, I saw singers and dancers, stand up comedians, acrobatics, and live music that would get one dancing in the isles. Cruise directors and their team hosting game shows and trivia…and it was all soooo close to my stateroom cabin. All so accessible…there is no city or travel spot in the world that can give that same convenience.
  5. It’s Educational: Not that one can’t learn about big tourist cities when visiting, but because cruises visit many ports during a sailing, the opportunity to get a wider scope or perspective on a larger area can be acquired. For example Caribbean cruises visit many islands, and because it’s just for one day, it can make it extra special to learn about the speific place while in port…since tomorrow, a passenger will be elsewhere. And in that sense one can get easily acquire general knowledge about a geographical region in a short time frame. Same thing goes for Alaskan or Mediterranean cruises. It’s easier to get a general view of a geographical area.
On my second cruise and I felt at home…There is lots of glamour to be had on designated “formal nights” on many sailings!

I used to relate cruising to that of a expensive luxury, a past-time for “older folks” with time and monies…but now after trying out two cruises, I can say I’m hooked. The truths about cruising for me is that I find them culturally valuable and time well spent. A vacation that is actually a thoughtful getaway from daily life. Whether lounging poolside, having an adventure on a shore excursion or playing shuffleboard on deck seaside…life is good when on the high seas. And the leisure component of vacationing is truly potent when sailing away on these big ships in the middle of the vast blue ocean.